What Happens If Your Gum Disease Is Left Untreated?

The Dangers Of Not Treating Professionally Periodontitis

Gum disease is a serious epidemic in the United States, affecting nearly 65 million Americans. According to this statement from the American Academy of Periodontology, half of American adults over age 30 have periodontitis, the medical term for gum disease. This means gum disease is a major problem!

Gum disease affects men, women, and children, causing tooth decay, tooth loss, and multiple forms of gum disease. We all know that good oral health is vital, not just for teeth, but also for overall health and wellness. Unfortunately, many people choose to ignore their gum disease rather than seek treatment. This means they often continue to experience worsening pain, discomfort, and embarrassing symptoms such as bad breath and missing teeth. Without treatment from a Washington Heights dental office, gum disease will just continue to worsen over time.

What Is Periodontitis?

Also called gum disease, periodontitis is the name for a condition in which the gum tissue that supports teeth in the mouth becomes infected and diseased. Often, the first symptom of gum disease is that the gums become swollen or start bleeding. If this initial infection is not treated, it will spread further in the mouth and start destroying the gum tissue. If allowed to progress, the teeth will become damaged and eventually fall out. Or, the teeth may need to be removed and replaced with implants, dentures, or another dental device. The primary cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene.

What Are The Stages Of Gum Disease?

Gum disease can be caused by several different types of bacteria that are found in dental plaque. The disease starts small and progresses gradually in stages, getting worse over time. The first stage of gum disease, when the infection is just beginning to affect the gum tissues and starting to be noticeable, is called gingivitis. If you get regular cleanings at your Washington Heights dentist office, this is likely the stage when gum disease will be noticed. At this stage, gum disease can be quickly and easily treated.

If gingivitis is left untreated, gum disease will progress to the next stage, where the infection gradually spreads throughout the mouth, affecting the other tissues. You may begin to experience pain, loose teeth, tooth sensitivity, and other problems.

What Are The Signs Of Gum Disease?

There are many symptoms of gum disease. Most commonly, these include gums that are bright red, swollen, and bleeding. If your gums swell during and after brushing your teeth, it’s possible that you are in the early stages of gum disease. Other symptoms of gum disease that may be experienced include persistent bad breath, having bad tastes in your mouth, loose teeth not caused by an accident, receding gum lines, teeth falling out, and sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks.

What Happens If Gum Disease Is Untreated?

It’s common for people to ignore their gum disease because they don’t like to go to the dentist, or hope it will clear up on its own. Unfortunately, gum disease needs treatment or it will continue to progress and worsen. A friendly Washington Heights dentist can make your treatment as comfortable as possible so you can receive the medical care you deserve.

If gum disease is left untreated, you’ll begin to experience many problems that range from tender and bleeding gums to extreme tooth sensitivity, and you may even experience tooth loss as the gum structure weakens. Ultimately, you may find yourself suffering from more severe health conditions. There’s an established link between gum disease and serious health complications including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illness. Pregnant women who have gum disease are at risk of preterm delivery.

The best way to prevent these complications is by scheduling regular visits with a Washington Heights dental office. If caught early, gum disease can be effectively treated before complications can become permanent.

How Is Gum Disease Treated?

The goal of gum disease treatment is to get the infection under control. Usually, the first step of the treatment process is with a thorough professional cleaning to remove dental plaque and other buildup. More extensive than regular brushing and flossing at home, a professional cleaning uses special tools to get the affected areas of the mouth. Any tartar that may have built up is carefully removed from the gumline. After the surfaces of the tooth roots have been cleaned, the gums will begin to reattach to the tooth, strengthening the area and protecting the tooth from further damage. In many cases, antibiotics or antibiotic gel may be prescribed to help fight infection deeper inside the mouth.

How Is Gum Disease Prevented?

The most important way to reduce your risk of gum disease is by taking good care of your teeth with regular brushing and flossing. It’s also important to get regular dental cleanings, which is key to both prevention and catching gum disease in its early stages.

Visit An Experienced Dentist Office In Washington Heights

If you suspect gum disease, are having tooth pain, or just need a routine cleaning, schedule your appointment with Esthetix Dental Spa. Our dentists are among the best in the state and offer the most up-to-date technology for all of your dental needs. Contact us today and see what makes us different!